Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Monday urged Singaporean companies to explore and extract oil and gas in Bangladesh’s coastal areas, including Bhola, as he sought greater Singaporean investment in the country.

He made the call when Non-Resident High Commissioner of Singapore to Bangladesh Derek Loh paid a courtesy call on him at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The Speaker said Bangladesh and Singapore enjoy warm and friendly relations, with Singapore being one of Bangladesh’s important economic partners.

The country’s economic progress was hampered during the 17 years of authoritarian rule, Hafiz Uddin said, adding that Singapore could make significant contributions to Bangladesh’s investment and economic development.

Derek Loh said technical education should be prioritised at educational institutions in Bangladesh.

He said improving and expanding technical education alongside university education could help ensure employment for the country’s working-age young population.

The envoy said Singapore is strengthening its economy through shipbuilding and the construction of various types of vessels.

He said Bangladesh could benefit economically by expanding its shipbuilding industry and establishing dry docks.

Hafiz Uddin also described the 13th parliamentary election as one of the fairest, most credible and peaceful elections in the history of Bangladesh.

He said the July 2024 mass uprising had brought an end to the authoritarian regime and paved the way for a renewed democratic journey in the country.

During the meeting, they also exchanged views on investment and trade between the two countries, expansion of the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, exchanges of parliamentary visits, activities of the Constitution Amendment Committee, improvement of education quality, and public and government job recruitment examinations.